So the world cup has just started and it got me thinking. Why is it that over time, even several generations later, it’s the same teams who are the best in the world? Give or take a few surprises, it’s always the same teams that out perform everyone else. And why is it that, for the last few decades, England have struggled to break through as one of the favourites?
I believe it has to do with the standards that you set for yourself. It’s the same story in athletics. Why is it that the USA consistently outperform Britain in track and field athletics?I’ll answer this question first.
In the USA, even to make it in the collegiate system the athletes have to achieve an exceptionally high standard. And during the US trials, simply to qualify to represent their country, the athletes have to beat some of the best athletes in the world. By the time they come to compete in the international events, the US athletes have already had a high exposure to high pressure competition on a large stage and beaten some of the best in the world.
In Britain, to achieve the status of the best in the country and to represent your country doesn’t require the athletes to reach such a high standard. I’m not saying it’s easy – far from it, but it’s more difficult in the US. Clearly there are other factors such as financial investment, but I think this is one of the key ones.
It’s the same in football. Simply to live up to expecations, players in Brazil, Argentina and so on have to meet an expectionally high standard. The expect more from themselves and each other than anyone else does.
So how does this relate to you and your fitness goals? Well, in order to achieve better results and greater success you need to raise your standards. Your past does not equal your future but if you keep your standards and your personal identity the same it will. You need to create a vivid image in your mind, not only of what you will look like but also of how you will behave every day. The standards that you expect from yourself day to day need to be congruent with the image that you have of your goal. You can’t have an image of yourself being super fit, lean, healthy and strong, and at the same time think of yourself as someone who cuts corners, skips meals, slacks off in training and picks at junk food. The two just aren’t compatible.
Raise your standards in terms of what you expect from yourself every day. You’ll get better results and be inspired to make even greater changes in the future. When you do your imagery sessions, don’t just imagine your end goal, vividly imagine your lifestyle and the day to day leading up to that goal. Once you’ve created these images in your head, spend a few minutes each day just revising them and reminding yourself of them. You’ll notice a big improvement in your results.
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